The Oldsmobile Connection

[85cieraholiday]

1985 Cutlass Ciera 2.5L 4 cylinder.
Ive noticed an odd sound from the Cutlass the last week or so, like a rattle of some sort. Today I checked the car out, looked at past rattle (such as the nut that fell off the starter a few years ago which was replaced) and found nothing. Then I leaned against the front of the car . Once I got off the front I noticed the car moved forward a little and the engine moved. I tried this again (push on front of car and then let go) enough for it to roll forward/back and inch or so (car was in park) and watched the whole engine move again. I did the same thing to my other cars and found they didn't do this. I notice there is some play in the "dog bone" mount at the top of the engine that moves when I push on the car. Is this a bad motor mount? I tried to tighten the bolt going though the mount but it wouldn't budge.

[88 Coupe]

85cieraholiday wrote: ........ did the same thing to my other cars and found they didn't do this ........
Are any of them front drives and the same vintage?

85cieraholiday wrote: ........ top of the engine that moves when I push on the car. Is this a bad motor mount? ........
It's supposed to move enough to notice. How much, is better left to to someone who knows more about that era.

Norm

[85cieraholiday]

Yeah I tried it on the 1988 Oldsmobile as well as the 3 other FWD cars in our fleet. The engine in all moved a little but nothing like the Cutlass.

[88 Coupe]

Is the rest of your "fleet" '88 or newer?

Up to about '88, "loose" mounts were used to "band-aid" the inherent "balance problems" in 4 and V6 engines. They were no linger needed when they started using, the more expensive, balance shafts.

In the absence of any other evidence, my guess is, they are doing what they were designed to do.

Norm

[85cieraholiday]

The rest of the cars are 1988 and newer, Ill have to check with someone who has an older FWD car like my Cutlass to see if it also does this, hopefully I'm just crazy!

[85cieraholiday]

Update:
The original sound I was hearing has gotten slightly worse, I drive the car very little anyway so I haven't done anything about it yet. Tomorrow I have an appointment at our dealership to give it a look and find out what this sound is as well as if my mount is ok. I'll post the outcome of my visit when I get the car back.

[raskull]

im having similar issues right now with my 93 eighty-eight. the lower transmission mount is absolutely shot. when the car is in gear and i give it gas, the engine is twisting out of the compartment so much that its leaving in imprint on the hood insulation. When i brought it to the garage, the guy told me the bracket is about 30 bucks, but it would be about 250 in labor. I dont know how to or have any equipment to fix it but i need to do something about it soon. its like that penzoil commercial where the engine leaps out of the car.

[88 Coupe]

raskull wrote: ........ I dont know how to or have any equipment to fix it ........
Here is the answer to the first part. It will tell you what you will need, for the second.

Norm

[91parkave]

raskull wrote: im having similar issues right now with my 93 eighty-eight. the lower transmission mount is absolutely shot. when the car is in gear and i give it gas, the engine is twisting out of the compartment so much that its leaving in imprint on the hood insulation. When i brought it to the garage, the guy told me the bracket is about 30 bucks, but it would be about 250 in labor. I dont know how to or have any equipment to fix it but i need to do something about it soon. its like that penzoil commercial where the engine leaps out of the car.

Jack, wooden block, long pry bar, 13 or15mm socket with swivel end helps, breaker bar. I only paid 50 in labor when i dint know how to do it, so i would shop around if i were u

[88 Coupe]

91buickman wrote: Jack, wooden block, long pry bar, 13 or15mm socket with swivel end helps, breaker bar ........
Yes.






And we can see what a fine job you did.

Norm

[91parkave]

still on my dick i see.........

[88 Coupe]

Not at all.

The images are actual examples your "professional" work, are relevant to this topic, and were an appropriate response to your childish post.

I you would like to discuss it further, you can PM me, or you can start a new thread in the proper forum.

Norm

[Brianritchie21787]

could be a long shot, but does Energy Suspension make MMI for the oldsmobile? that would stiffen them up a bit if it bothers you.

[85cieraholiday]

Getting back on topic here.....

Update:
I got the car back from the dealership yesterday, the motor mount is ok, Norm your explanation back on August 24 holds true to my situation, thank you for answering my concern!

"Up to about '88, "loose" mounts were used to "band-aid" the inherent "balance problems" in 4 and V6 engines. They were no linger needed when they started using, the more expensive, balance shafts."

The actual cause for the sound I was hearing... the waterpump called it a day. The car is back together and running well.

[88 Coupe]

85cieraholiday wrote: ........ The car is back together and running well.
Thanks for the update.

Norm